20 gallon sps tank are phosphates something to look at

[Zach Smith]

So i have a 20 long set up with a sump, I want to do primarily sps In it. I test calcium and alkalinity. I keep calcium at 450ppm dosing with far calcium chloride and 11.2 dkh using soda ash. I use red sea a and b for coral nutrition and I'm wondering what I could use to promote good coral growth beyond this any helps appreciated. I'm using 2 ai prime hds on a+ brs schedule.

 

[Zach Smith]

 

[Kal93]

My boyfriend has a similar system to you and also tests phos:nitrate ratio. Ideally, it should be 1:10 with around 0.1ppm phosphate and ~5-10ppm nitrate. You do not want a zero nutrient system, just a low-nutrient system. He initially raised his nitrates by dosing stump remover and lowered phosphates with phosguard.

 

[Zach Smith]

So I use to breed discus, and u wanted 0 nitrates? Why would I want nitrates?

 

[dansreef]

You should measure and track your nutrients. Providing you had a good cycle... you will still want to track your nitrates and phosphates. Very high readings of either are not ideal... as are zero levels. Zero levels are suspected to encourage growth of nasties like Dinos. I think the bigger point would be to measure to try to attain stability. Stability of all of what you are measuring now is important with SPS... but also nutrient levels, PH, Salinity and Temp to name a few more.

How often you measure and how closely you track can depend. As you get more familiar with your tank and its inhabitants, you will start to see visual cues to suggest something out of whack. I track all of the above and have for years. I don't measure as often.... but I do at least on a bi-weekly basis look at stuff, measure some parameters... etc.

Also, if you are dosing anything, you should have a plan to measure. It is not always possible.... i.e. trace and aminos... but if you are adding anything into your tank, you should have a plan to test and track.

Good Luck!

 

[dansreef]

So I use to breed discus, and u wanted 0 nitrates? Why would I want nitrates?

It is believed that low levels of nitrates and phosphates help feed corals...and are better than zero levels in reef tanks. Of course, you could argue that the ocean has near zero levels... but our tanks are not the ocean. Corals can show better growth and color with low nutrient levels.... not zero levels. Also as mentioned previous.. Zero Levels have been suspected of allowing dinoflagellates to grow unimpeded or without competition in our reef tanks. Some algae and bacteria are thought to keep dinos in check.

 

[Zach Smith]

Okay, so if I do have 0 nitrates..get rid of the fudge and macro or what do you suggest

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Are you running a skimmer?

 

[Backreefing]

Alkalinity @ 11 .2 DKH = dead sps ( IMO )
Drop it to 7-9 depends on how much nutrients to .

 

[Zach Smith]

Yes I am running a reef octopus 110

 

[Hemmdog]

Okay, so if I do have 0 nitrates..get rid of the fudge and macro or what do you suggest

Just feed more. Or get another fish if you have room.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

I don't want to be negative here, but your tank looks brand new and way too early to start adding corals IMO.

You should read a lot more forums on here about keeping SPS and corals in general. Some of the questions you are asking, everyone is more than happy to answer, but are somethings you should know from research and learning about what you'd like to keep in your tank.